Sunday 26th March 2023 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 25th March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, The Annunciation of the Lord (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 26th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Fifth Sunday of Lent
1:30pm Parish Lenten Walk: The Huncoat Trail (details below)
Tuesday 28th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
Wednesday 29th March
10am Requiem Mass for Barbara Faina RIP
1:40pm Funeral Service for George Taylor RIP at Accrington Crematorium
7pm Consecration to St. Joseph (Meeting 5)
Thursday 30th March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blesses Sacrament
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
Friday 31st March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 1st April
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Sunday 2nd April
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (25th March - 1st April), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Martin Dwyer RIP.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£566.10 Thank you for your kind generosity.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
This parish initiative has been such a huge success over the last few cold winter months. The aim was to bring people together in a warm space, to break up the dark days with music, company and a decent brew and cake. A number of people have commented that it really has been a warm welcome and made a difference to a depressing winter. The last Warm Welcome for this current season will be on Tuesday 4th April from 1pm – 3pm.
Good News!!! By popular demand and the support of all those volunteers involved we will resume the St. Mary's Warm Welcome this autumn when the temperature drops and the dark days return. Thank you to the band, Anthony, Dylan and Michael, for keeping us all singing and doing requests. Thanks to Ciara, Jennifer, Karen, Maureen and other helpers for the endless supply of refreshments. Finally a BIG THANK YOU to all those who have come and made it such a warm welcoming atmosphere.
Words of Wisdom
Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811 – 1868), wrote some beautiful reflections on the Blessed Sacrament. During Lent let's take a few minutes to read those words of wisdom on the Real Presence and appreciate the sacrifice and gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.
"Alas! It is but too true: our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament is not loved!
He is not loved by millions...who either know nothing of the Eucharist or have wrong notions of it.
Among so many thousands of creatures in whom God has placed a heart capable of loving, how many would love the Blessed Sacrament if they knew it as I do!
Must I not at least try to love it for them, in their stead?
Even among Catholics, few, very few love Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. How many think of Him frequently, speak of Him, come to adore Him and receive Him?
What is the reason for this forgetfulness and coldness? Ah! They have never tasted the Eucharist, its sweetness, the delights of its loves!
They have never known the goodness of Jesus!
They have no idea of the extent of His love in the Most Blessed Sacrament!
(Taken from The Real Presence, The Wonderful Work of God by St. Peter Julian Eymard)
Parish Lenten Walk
Thanks to Marie Leaver for helping suggest this local walk. We'll begin at the stocks/memorial garden in Huncoat at 1:30pm. It passes over the railway track in the village and makes its way to the motorway. Crossing over this (by bridge) we walk along the canal for a while. The path then has to go back across the railway and the motorway, through woods and back to the parked cars. It is about 4 to 5 miles of fairly easy walking.
Directions: travel up Burnley road to the Griffin pub, turndown Higher Gate Road till you come to the memorial garden BB5 6LJ.
It is important to note that each person who joins us will be responsible for themselves and those in their family group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared for muddy hillsides and fells. Bring appropriate footwear, clothing and food and drinks for the journey. If you would like to ask more questions or get a copy of the route do see me in the sacristy at the end of the Mass.
Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum Dates & Times
Wednesday of Holy Week 5th April
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass
7pm – 8pm Consecration to St Joseph (Meeting 6: Act of Consecration)
Maundy Thursday 6th April
7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
8:30pm Watching at the Altar of Repose
9:30pm Compline (Night Prayer)
Good Friday 7th April
9am – 9:45am Confessions
10am Stations of the Cross
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion
Holy Saturday 8th April
8:30pm The Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday 9th April
9:30pm The Holy Rosary
10am Mass
Easter Flowers
Each year (Christmas & Easter) we offer the opportunity for people to sponsor a flower display in church in prayer for a loved one who has died or for deceased family and friends. We are blessed to have Maureen and other volunteers who freely share their talents to make this happen so that the windows in church and the statues of St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. Margaret Clitherow are beautifully decorated. If you would like to sponsor a display for £20 please see one of the stewards, with your money, who have the list at the back of church. There has been a significant increase to the cost of flowers so if people would like to donate money for flowers in general during the Easter season then please put your donation in an envelope marked 'Flower Money'. Thank you.
Easter Raffle
We are hoping to begin an Easter Raffle, to help raise money for our church, and it would be great if parishioners had any Easter eggs to donate as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. You will also be able to begin buying tickets for the raffle from this weekend (£1 a ticket or £5 a strip).
The Raffle will be drawn on the 16th April Divine Mercy Sunday (The Second Sunday of Eater) after the 10am Mass.
Easter Chicks
Thanks to Lynne Pilkington and the ladies there will be handmade 'Easter chicks' on sale at the back of church with all the proceeds kindly going to church funds.
St. Mary's Paris Centre Photos
Thank you to those who contributed photos to the St. Mary's Parish Centre exhibition. All the photos are safely at the stewards desk (Narthex) ready for collection. Photos that aren't taken we will put in the parish archives.
St. Mary's School
On Wednesday Mrs. Lomberg's Class joined us for the 10am Parish Mass where the readings reminded us of hope, hope that is only found in Jesus. Thank you to Mrs. Radigan who brought pupils over to the St. Mary's Warm Welcome who joined in the singing and helped to make sure everyone had enough cake.
Christian Leadership Formation Programme
This is a unique opportunity with respect to anything currently on offer in the UK. The programme offers:
• a holistic formation in the Catholic philosophy and theology underpinning key themes related to the common good (e.g. human dignity, human rights, civil law, subsidiarity, vision for a human ecology, distribution of public goods and finances, etc.)
• a strong, liturgical framework of Mass, divine office, Eucharistic adoration, rosary, and a 12-hour silent retreat
• Workshops in public speaking, changing culture, statesmanship
• Team-building activities and socials
Our previous cohort were all deeply impacted by the programme, regardless of what preconceptions, views and opinions they came with. Amongst their feedback, they said it was the best thing they'd done all year; they noted how it had opened their eyes to the world of theology; how they had transformed their ideas of a synonymity between their professional and spiritual lives; etc. We have bursaries to offer those students who cannot contribute to all or part of the programme's cost. Our partners in delivering the programme include St Mary's University, Twickenham, the Catholic Union of Great Britain, and Alliance Defending Freedom UK.
We are only seeking to recruit 15 participants from amongst the applicants, but we are struggling to get the message through to potential candidates via the usual school channels. Applications close at the end of March (although we will accept forms after this date from those who have advised us of their incoming application).
Enquirers morning for Vocations to the Diaconate
Saturday 1st April,10am, St Patrick's Church, Livesey Street, Manchester, M4 5HF
The Diocese of Salford's Department for Formation is holding an enquirers morning for anyone who may be discerning a vocation to the diaconate. If you would like to learn more about what a deacon is or does, or would like to speak to someone about how God might be calling you to serve as a deacon in our diocese, this event will help you find out more. Come along to an Enquirer's Morning at St. Patrick's Church, Livesey St, Manchester, on Saturday 1st April, starting with Mass at 10am and finishing with a sandwich lunch.
Email formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to let us know you're coming.
You can also learn more about the role of deacons by visiting www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/diaconate-faqs/
St Oswald's RC Nursery School, Hartley Ave, Accrington
Did you know that St Oswald's is able to offer a free nursery education for your child?
Our nursery is well staffed and resourced, providing a secure, caring learning environment for your child. Our staff are very experienced, friendly and approachable and we can promise you a warm welcome. The school's website, www.stoswaldsromancatholicprimaryschool.com/nursery has more information about what the children learn whilst they are there.
The Nursery has two classes :
* Class 1 - session times run from 8.55 a.m. to 11.55 a.m.
* Class 2 - session times run from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
Everyone is entitled to 15 hours of free education and eligible families are entitled to 30 hours.
Please check the Lancashire County Council website to see if you are eligible for 30hrs.
We offer a Breakfast Club from 8 a.m. which costs only 50p and children receive breakfast and activities. We also have links with childminders in the area who mind children from 3 p.m. onwards if this is required. Please ask for details.
Children must be three years of age to start and out of nappies.
If you would like to visit our nursery and / or put your child's name down on our Admission list for when they have their 3rd birthday, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Lee on 01254 234924.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, Saturday 20th May, 2023
The Diocese of Salford's annual pilgrimage to Walsingham will be returning on Saturday 20th May.
This year's pilgrimage has a number of places available to join the Day Pilgrimage and a very limited number of places for the overnight stay. The cost is £45 for the day trip and £134 for an overnight stay in a Standard room, and £150 for an overnight stay in an En-Suite room. For more information, email walsingham.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2214.
Alongside the main pilgrimage, we will also have our Youth Pilgrimage. For more information please email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Non Diocesan Coaches to Walsingham Pilgrimage
We are aware that there are a number of parishes, who may have arranged their own transport for the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Parishes should make it clear, if advertising these coaches, that they will not have undertaken the Diocesan Risk Assessment, including safeguarding and Health and Safety. These coaches will not, therefore, be covered by the diocesan public liability insurance.
As a consequence, we would ask parishes to only advertise those coaches that have been centrally organised and will be fully covered by our insurance.
Please note that in no circumstances should vehicles be described or represented as official or authorised Diocesan transport, as this would be misleading to those booking the same in good faith. Responsibility for the same will remain personally with those hiring the vehicle concerned so we would strongly discourage this option.
Mr. Edward Nally
Secretary to the Diocesan Trustees
Diocese of Salford
Register for the Laudato Si' Animators' Course
The Vatican-backed Laudato Si Movement organises an online Laudato Si' Animators' Course which is set up to educate and enable people to inspire others, in parishes, schools and in the world at large, to engage in dialogue and action on the current environmental crises. The course, which starts on 19th April 2023, will educate and empower you to bring the Laudato Si' Encyclical to life. The course is from Wednesday 19th April – May 17th with weekly seminars at 2pm (or you can view the recordings afterwards). For more information and to register see: https://laudatosianimators.org/see or watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy9YGWle8AA
Caritas Salford Lent Appeal
This Lent, will you make a change to change a life? Whether you're making a change to your diet, fasting, amending your behaviour or adapting your thoughts and focus...as you pray, fast and give this Lent the change you're making could also help to change a life. By remembering Caritas Salford during Lent, your donations and prayers will make a real difference to the lives of the local people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire that the team supports - people in our local communities facing poverty, disadvantage, homelessness and isolation. There are lots of ways you can help:
• Keep Caritas Salford and the people they work alongside in the local community in your prayers this Lent
• Join their Lent appeal and collect change to help change lives (you can pay online at www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/lent2023/ )
• Help Caritas reach even more people by sharing news of the appeal on social media, with friends, family and other loved ones, colleagues and wider networks.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien